Day by Day Road Trip Journey from Sydney to Brisbane
You could fly from Sydney to Brisbane but then you would miss all the fun, sparkling white sand beaches, great places to swim, snorkel, dive or surf in glistening azure blue waters. Have a great time and see it all in a rental campervan. Camp along the way and take leisurely strolls through quaint villages, lush rainforests, wineries, and find time to relax in the sun, meet the friendly locals, and make new friends… the real up close and personal experience of Australia.
Your options for this road trip is a guided motorcoach tour, your own vehicle, rental car and staying in hotels or if you want to be free and adventurous rent a self-drive hire campervan in Australia. Make up your own Walkabout! Stay in caravan parks and campsites along the way, experience freedom on the road while you cruise the roads in comfort in a motor home or rent a campervan in Sydney or Brisbane. See the land down under… the locals call “Oz”, in an economical hire campervan your way.
Starting in Sydney and Heading up the Central Coast
This first day you have the opportunity to take in many sights along the way, whether you are traveling by car, motor coach or get a hire campervan in Sydney. Stop at Bouddi National Park for a bushwalk (tramping, hiking on defined trails, tracks, or roads) in this natural reserve fringed by lush rainforest, cliffs of sandstone, and secluded beaches. North of Sydney about an hour up the road you come upon Avoca Beach, a long crescent shaped golden-sand beach and popular spot for families, holiday visitors, surfers, and known as an angler’s paradise. Hire (rent) water sports equipment, stroll the seashore, or relax and enjoy the sun. Next is Terrigal where you can fish right from the beach, explore Bateau Bay with its protected beaches and the wildlife of the Towoon Bay. Try a bike ride around the shores of Tuggerah Lake where you can also swim, sail, canoe, sailboard or water ski and then feed the fish and pelicans right off the beaches at The Entrance. If you are up to it, hop on the ferry and take a bushwalk, see wildflowers and Aboriginal art at Brisbane National Park. Overnight in one of the nearby Central Coast towns or caravan park campsites if you are in a campervan.
From Australia’s Central Coast to the Hunter Valley
The second day takes you to Newcastle to explore the many options it has in store. Surf Nobby’s Beach, go to Newcastle Harbour for wreck diving, take a swim on Bar Beach or check out Dixon Park for a hang-gliding adventure. The Hunter Valley offers a plentitude of enticing wineries for tasting, 120 to choose from with excellent variety. Broke presents a handcrafted selection for tasting, don’t miss Nightingale wines just on Milbrodale Road, and the cellar doors at Lovedale’s are always open for purchases. For a different view, take a hot air balloon ride at Pokolbin and gaze at vineyards from above. Cessnock features skydiving in tandem or head to Yengo National Park for a leisurely bushwalk. Once your day is done, enjoy a pleasant night stay in historic Wollombi, Cessnock, Broke, or Lovedale, or nearby caravan park especially appealing to those traveling in hire campervans.
Depart today from the Hunter Valley for Port Stephens
Day three stretches past Kurri Kurri to Port Stephens with its numerous beaches, 26 in fact! Nelson Head Lighthouse awards views of the bay, a truly panoramic experience. You can cruise or kayak along side bottled-nosed dolphins in Nelson Bay and go to Fly Point for some snorkeling or diving. Grab a ferry destined for the Tea Gardens, or stop for a bite to eat at the Hawks Nest. There is also fishing or swimming at the beaches of Myall Lakes National Park. On the opposite side of the bay stands Tomaree Headland with four-wheel driving access or take up quad biking on Stockton Beach. When you are ready to settle in for the night, try Fingle Bay or Anna for a quiet stay or Nelson Bay for a resort-type atmosphere.
Goodbye Port Stephens Say Hello to Coffs Harbour
As you head out on day four, get ready to travel through history in Raymond Terrace. Seal Rocks renders options for scuba diving or fishing, make your way to Forster to swim. Inland, there is bushwalking and white water rafting in a rainforest setting including a view of the Barrington Tops with its dormant volcano peaks. A sight that is included on the World Heritage list. Impressive Ellenborough Falls awaits you next or enjoy a camel safari ride on Port Macquarie’s Lighthouse Beach. Snag your choice of deep sea fishing, diving, or snorkeling at the South West Rocks or simply take it easy on one of the supremely white, unpopulated Nambucca Heads beaches, such difficult choices to make! Coffs Harbour offers many types of overnight accommodation, including hotels, inns, and caravan park campsites equipped for rental campervans.
Onward and Upwards from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay
Solitary Islands Marine Park flaunts great fishing and scuba diving. Explore the wonders of the rainforest of Gondwanan in Dorrigo National Park. Bongil Bongil National Park has kayaking routes throughout or pop over to Nymboida River for some white water rafting thrills. The rustic charm in Grafton invites you to coast on Clarence River along side dolphins or take a train ride over Glenreagh Mountains. Look west towards luscious Bellingen to walk along the rim of the ancient volcano at Mount Warning National Park. Drive through quaint Ballina on your way to Byron Bay and your overnight stay. Accommodation varies from Australia’s campervan caravan parks to the super luxurious hotels. Enjoy.
Sunny Byron Bay to the Sparkling Gold Coast
Start day six by rising at dawn to stroll alongside the whales on Cape Byron Walking Track, from May to November. Cape Byron Marine Park boasts snorkeling amongst dolphins and sea turtles or make your way to Main Beach for some kayaking or swimming. Surf the exhilarating waves off the Pass. Next, check out the lighthouse for some enlightening hang gliding or trot to Bangalow for a horseback ride. The hinterland of Byron hosts tours for all your four-wheel driving pleasure. The scenic Gold Coast is a mere ninety minute route north. When it’s time to count some sheep, park your campervan at one of the hinterland retreat campsites or Surfer’s Paradise.
Sparkling Gold Coast to Lovely Brisbane
The last leg of your journey starts at Main Beach, Kirra or Broadbeach for some swimming off golden sandy beaches and surfing at Surfer’s Paradise. The wreck of Scottish Prince at Main Beach invites all to dive, snorkel the site, or marvel at the sights of the synthetic reef at Narrow Neck. There is bushwalking beside waterfalls and stone pools, rainforests, and foliage at Tamborine Mountain, Lamington to Springbok National Parks. Even more excitement awaits theme park visitors at Dreamworld’s massive tidal wave, connect with sea life in Sea World by swimming alongside dolphins, or make a seal your new best friend. Movie World offers a back stage peek at movie making for a fun packed day. Continue your drive towards Brisbane and overnight in one of the many Brisbane campsites and experience the sophisticated, relaxed city with all it has to offer. Here as you end your road trip stay over in Brisbane for a few days to enjoy, drop off your rental campervan in Brisbane or continue up to the tropical north to Cairns.
Freedom on the Road – A Road Trip Journey to Remember
If you are visiting Australia, try one of these easy to drive, small scale economical vehicles, which come stocked with everything you need for your holiday vacation, except food, of course. There are convenient campervan rental pickup and drop-off locations in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, and Melbourne making a self-drive hire campervan ideal for everyone, backpackers, families, seniors, camping holidays, or anyone on a budget. Experience Oz your way cruising down the highway.
